GUEST OPINION: Support the Gateway Cities Education Agenda

In November 2011, Gov. Deval Patrick convened an Education Summit which brought together key stakeholders from our education boards and associations; colleges and universities; philanthropic, business, and nonprofit groups; research organizations, and many others committed to closing achievement gaps and the improvement of...

In November 2011, Gov. Deval Patrick convened an Education Summit which brought together key stakeholders from our education boards and associations; colleges and universities; philanthropic, business, and nonprofit groups; research organizations, and many others committed to closing achievement gaps and the improvement of teaching and learning in the commonwealth. During this historic gathering, the governor unveiled his Gateway Cities Education Agenda — a vision for a 21st century education system built to fully prepare all students for success in our global economy.

In many places across the state, demography is destiny for far too many of our students. Although we lead the nation in student achievement on many important measures, a closer look behind our average scores reveals deep and persistent achievement gaps among many of our poor students, students of color, those who speak English as a second language and students with disabilities. Our current education system — as enviable as it may be — is still not broad or strong enough to reach all children trapped in these gaps.

The governor challenged us to focus on parts of the commonwealth where those students are concentrated, in our 24 Gateway Cities, and to implement a set of strategies aimed at giving them the supports and resources necessary to meet their specific needs. In January, the Governor proposed nearly $10 million in his FY ‘13 budget to support this work.

The Gateway Cities Education Agenda focuses on five goals: 1.) getting every child to reading proficiency by the third grade; 2.) providing every child with a healthy platform for education; 3.) providing students, particularly English language learners, with the quality and quantity of education they need to succeed; 4.) preparing all students for college and career success; and 5.) seeding and incentivizing innovation in education.

I have spent the past six months visiting schools and meeting with legislators, mayors, school committee members, union representatives, educators and students in nearly all of our 24 Gateway Cities. After each of these meetings, I leave even more convinced that this is the set of strategies needed to take our students to the next level of educational attainment and to help create for them, educational opportunities needed to close persistent achievement gaps.

The time is now for these students. They can’t and shouldn’t wait any longer for help. We, as adults, have both a moral and economic responsibility to do everything we can to reach these students now and give them the tools they need to be successful in school, career and life.

I am gratified by the strong support I have found for the Gateway Cities Education Agenda as I have traveled across the state. Momentum is building for this plan, its vision and goals, and I am hopeful that the programs and strategies outlined in the Gateway Cities Education Agenda will be included in the final legislative budget. This agenda delivers immediate and necessary support to teachers and students while clearly outlining the features of the 21st century school system we need to build in order to realize our ideal of educating all students for success. They need it now.

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Paul Reville is the secretary of education for the commonwealth of Massachusetts.